Before You Visit FDC Houston: What You Can't Bring and What to Wear
Your visit can go smoothly—or end at the front door—depending on what you bring and wear. Use the checklists below to avoid common screening problems.
Expect to be screened for prohibited items. The Bureau's visitor notification form (BP‑A0224) spells out what you can't bring onto Bureau grounds without the Warden's consent - and lists the objects that commonly get visitors turned away. Traveling with kids? The form asks whether children under 16 in your party have any prohibited items, so check everyone's pockets and bags before you arrive.
- ✓ Weapons
- ✓ Explosives
- ✓ Drugs
- ✓ Intoxicants
- ✓ Currency (large amounts can cause issues)
- ✓ Cameras of any type
- ✓ Recording equipment
- ✓ Telephones
- ✓ Radios
- ✓ Pagers
- ✓ Other electronic devices
Entering - or even attempting to enter - Bureau grounds means consenting to a search. This is Bureau policy, rooted in federal regulations (28 C.F.R. Part 511). Plan your outfit and what you carry with that in mind.
Note: If you refuse to be searched, you may be prohibited from entering Bureau grounds or facilities.
You'll see this spelled out on the BP‑A0224
What you wear matters. Inappropriate, provocative, or revealing clothing can get you denied entry. A good rule: dress as if you're attending a large gathering of men, women, and children. Avoid see-through garments, crop tops, low-cut blouses or dresses, miniskirts, backless tops, and other revealing styles.
- ✓ Choose modest, coverage-focused clothing to reduce the chance of being denied
- ✓ Skip see-through fabrics and revealing cuts (low-cut, backless, very short, or high-slit styles)
- ✓ Avoid “provocative” outfits even if they’re comfortable - comfort won’t help if you’re turned away
- ✓ Keep it simple and neutral; if you’re debating an outfit, pick the more conservative option
Electronics are a common reason visits get derailed. The BP‑A0224 form explicitly prohibits cameras (any type), recording equipment, telephones, radios, pagers, and other electronic devices. Safest bet: treat the visiting area as a no-electronics zone and leave everything in your car.
- ✓ Leave phones, smartwatches, cameras, and other electronics behind before you enter Bureau grounds
- ✓ Don’t bring recording devices of any kind
- ✓ Check everyone in your group (including kids) for electronics before you walk up to screening
- Do a final pocket-and-bag check - make sure no one in your group is carrying prohibited objects like weapons, drugs/intoxicants, currency, or electronics (including phones, cameras, and recording equipment).
- Go in expecting to be searched - entering or attempting to enter Bureau grounds means you consent to a search under Bureau policy and 28 C.F.R. Part 511.
- Be ready to review the visitor form - you may be presented with the BP‑A0224 “Notification to Visitor,” which documents the search and prohibited-items rules.
- Choose an outfit that won’t get you turned away - avoid clothing that could be seen as inappropriate, provocative, or revealing so your visit doesn’t end at the entrance.
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